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Newbury Weekly News Arming ourselves against Covid

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Muneeza Abdulla

Kathryn and Quinn Leslie

Magrete Clark

IT has been a beacon of hope for many across the district; a way out of the restrictions that have kept everyone at home and away from the people and the things they love. And now a Newbury pho- tographer has captured the moment that residents re- ceived their coronavirus vac- cines. Paul Wenham-Clarke, an award-winning documentary photographer and professor of photography at the Arts University Bournemouth, has created the series of images, along with his wife and fellow photographer, Anita Clark. Entitled Badge of Honour, Prof Wenham-Clarke hopes the series of portraits will be exhibited in the town in the future. “I am a documentary pho- tographer and have been try- ing to make work to record these Covid days and up to now it has been very difficult to get anyone to agree to hav- ing their picture taken,” he said. “There is the fear of in- fection but probably the big- gest worry is that most of us need a good a hair cut and have put on a few pounds and the thought of record- ing it for posterity is not so attractive. “However, once the vac- cine started to be rolled out I really noticed a difference, the mood lifted and people are now a lot more positive.” Prof Wenham-Clarke, whose last exhibition was at the Oxo Gallery in London and the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood just before lockdown last year, said he then dreamt of photographing his father-in- law with a plaster on his arm as his ‘badge of honour’. “We took the pictures out-

side in people’s gardens and kept our distance but it was quiet a funny sight to see, what looked like a photography stu- dio in the middle of someone’s lawn,” he added. “It was interesting how proud they all were of having the vaccine. It was very differ- ent to my usual photo shoots, as I usually spend a lot of time getting to know the people.” In total 10 people were pho- tographed for the series and they all had their own stories to tell. Len Clark, who we picture on the front page of the NWN , is 88 and a former member of the 9th Parachute Squadron He was the first person Prof Wenham-Clarke photographed and he said: “It was important I got the vaccine as I am old and I have a pacemaker so I don’t think it would have gone so well if I caught the bug. “The vaccine is an amazing achievement and there is noth- ing to worry about. Just do it. “My year of Covid to be quite honest has been absolute murder. Locked indoors and not seeing relatives has made me feel like a caged animal and sometimes I have been so down. “I have got confused what day it was and who cares any- way, they’re all the same. “I have lived through the Blitz and in 1942 when I was nine our home in the East End of London was blown up and I was evacuated to Hungerford. “Back then there was com- radeship and a real feeling of community, whereas today we are forced to separate because of the virus and that has made today seem much harder. “I feel proud to have been one of the first to get the jab, I might be old but I was showing the way.

“We are lucky to have such a great set of scientists and NHS workers pulling together and saving the country from this hideous bug.” Quinn Leslie, a 16-year-old sixth form student, said he had the vaccine because he is vul- nerable due to having the lung condition, bronchiectasis. “Think about others and by having it you are also helping them especially those that can- not have it,” he said. “I have had no exams, no prom and not seen my friends but I’ve been lucky, some people have had it way worse.” GP partner Bal Bahia, aged 54, said he got vaccinated to lead by example and protect himself and those he loves. Paramedic Stephanie Tedjo, 26, said: “I think the hesitan- cy about getting the vaccine comes from worries about the potential side effects and the perception that its production was rushed, but people need to weigh this against the risk of becoming severely ill and the potential long-term effects. “There is enough evidence to support the vaccine is safe for distribution and is highly effective. “The year of Covid has cre- ated a significant imbalance in my work and life balance but equally has made me ap- preciate how privileged I am to have a secure job and been able to travel in the past. “I have been really im- pressed with how people have adapted and transformed their lives and businesses to make things work in a new way.” Magrete Clark, Kathryn Leslie, Nicky Mercer, Faiza Bailey, Kamal Bahia and Muneeza Abdulla were also photographed and you can read their stories on newbury- today.co.uk

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